Promoting Mental Wellbeing through Activity in a Mental Health Hospital

Abstract

Studies have indicated widespread inactivity in psychiatric wards, although the occupational therapy and mental health journals support the therapeutic benefits of participation in activity. A service evaluation was conducted to explore activity provision and identify gaps in service within a 13-ward psychiatric hospital. The results of the initial exploration were that staff and patients indicated a lack of structured and accessible activity. An activity programme was introduced offering a minimum of 17 groups weekly, including functional, leisure, art and sport groups. Six months after the introduction of the programme, 63 patients participated in one week, which was a considerable increase from 6 inpatients taking part in activity prior to the introduction of the programme. The results of a service evaluation conducted by questionnaire identified positive feedback from over 90% of patients and 100% of staff. The main recommendation was the continuous provision of an inpatient activity programme within the hospital. A further recommendation was to build closer links with community resources to enable continued participation after discharge from hospital.